Happy Earth Day! In honor of today, I want to tell you guys about a wonderful fashion e-commerce retail site I discovered last week that inspires people to think differently about what they buy. Consumerism can impact change on a global scale and that’s why Hearts believes in conscious consumerism, which only comes with transparency–meaning you know the facts about the items you purchase. Do you ever question whether the products you buy exert a high impact on the earth? Are they ethically sourced? You get the picture.

Creating Change with Conscious Minds

Hearts is part of a growing fashion movement that collaborates with artisans in the U.S. and around the globe to offer rare, chic designs that keep “people and planet” in mind. Eco-friendly materials are used whenever possible and items are crafted with low-impact processes. What I love most about Hearts is their mantra of working toward conscious consumerism and demanding that other companies do the same. And that you can purchase products from around the world (you know how much I love anything travel-related!) that you cannot find here.

Fashioning a Better Future

What exactly can you buy on the Hearts website? Bags, jewelry, fashion accessories–you name it! They make it easy to find what you’re looking for too. You can shop by Process, Materials, and World Causes, for example. Or you can find your own style within the Hearts collection and shop by your personal style: Advocate, Peacemaker, Explorer, Ambassador, Rebel, or Historian.

I was personally drawn to the Hearts site by their really cool, different items made from natural materials. But once I learned the story behind the brand, I was even more interested in supporting their business. How great would it be if for every item you ever bought, you’d be able to learn exactly where it came from, how it was made, and how your purchase would benefit the artisan(s) who made it?

If you care about fashion and world affairs, and would like to learn more about Hearts’ Product Values, head on over to their site for a ton of info on how fashion can positively affect people and the planet.

Where do you usually shop for environmentally-friendly, sustainable products?

Disclosure: Hearts did not ask me to write this nor did I receive any compensation for this post. I just really love what they’re doing!

Makeup trends come and go but feeling beautiful inside and out has no expiration date. Neutrogena’s latest beauty and skincare line was created to make women look and feel beautiful, and it does so by focusing on natural-looking makeup and skincare products that are feminine and fresh.

Cleansing Made Easy

How much thought do you put into your daily beauty regimen? Honestly, one of the things that I admittedly hate doing is washing my face at night before bed. I do it because I obviously need to clean my makeup off, but it’s easy to get lazy with it if you’re already sleepy. Who really wants to splash water on their face, which will inevitably wake you up? So you can imagine my delight when I tried Neutrogena’s Make-Up Remover Cleansing Towelettes. Super soft to the skin, these cloths gently remove all makeup (yes, even waterproof mascara) without making your eyes sting. Contact lens wearers, even you guys are safe to use these. I know how squeamish people can get about the sensitive area around their eyes, but these towelettes are the real deal.

But what about the rest of your face? Dirt and oil, beware! Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Cleansing Wipes not only smell amazing but are also great for acne-prone skin. It’s so easy… simply weep away pore-clogging impurities without having to rinse your face after. My favorite part is that I don’t have to lose any sleep (ha!) AND I’m left with a fab, tingly, squeaky-clean feeling on my face right before I head off to dream land. I may never wash my face with water and face wash again… at least not before bedtime!

Fighting UV Rays

Skin cancer is nothing to joke about, and we should all be wearing some sort of sun protection in our daily lives. In the past, I’ve neglected to wear sunscreen on my face for fear of it causing my face to become more oily than necessary and to avoid future breakouts. But Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock (SPF 45) has put that fear to rest. Its incredibly light, clean feel is non-greasy and left my skin feeling soft and smooth all day. It also has a really light, fresh scent which won’t interfere with any other fragrance you may be wearing. And don’t worry about wearing it with the rest of your makeup–it will just enhance your makeup routine.

Prepping the Blank Canvas

I usually have a hard time finding foundation that matches my skin tone perfectly, and I suspect this may be a universal problem. My other issue with foundation is that it can often leave your skin looking “caky”… you know, that really made-up look that doesn’t end up looking natural at all. So I tend to stay away from foundation unless I really need to cover up a blemish, which, what do ya know, I had to do this past week.

Neutrogena’s collection offers an easy three-step solution. First, I used the brand’s Shine Control Primer. Let me just say, I was skeptical. I had never used a primer for foundation before and wasn’t sure how my skin would react to moisturizer (which is a MUST for me), plus this, plus the rest of this 3-step process. But the primer ended up being one of my favorite products because my face was shine-free all day. And its matte finish didn’t over dry my skin, which was a relief since my skin can be quite prone to dryness. It also works with all skin tones.

While part of my face can be dry at times, I suffer from dreaded T-zone shine, which is where Neutrogena’s Shine Control Powdercame in handy. It helped prevent my T-zone oiliness from showing. Here’s a tip in case you experience this, too: Neutrogena says the Shine Control Powder layers invisibly over makeup, so I freaked out a bit when it wasn’t indeed “invisible” over mine. But everything was just fine once I blended it in correctly.

Finally, I covered up the above mentioned blemishes with Neutrogena’s Shine Control Makeup. Luckily, I picked out the right foundation color to match my skin just right so my face maintained a natural look with 8 hours of shine control and SPF 20 UV protection. What I loved most about this foundation was that it left my skin feeling like it could breathe. Goodbye, “cakiness” paranoia!

Natural, Beautifying Makeup

And now onto the most fun part–the makeup! Not going to lie. The most exciting beauty products, in my eyes (no pun intended), are always the ones that end up being most noticeable on one’s face. You know what I’m talking about… eyeshadow, lip color, mascara, etc.

Let’s talk about the eyes first. I’m a bit of an eye shadow fanatic. I simply cannot have enough options in my bathroom at any given time. But one of the drawbacks to regular eye shadow is that it tends to crease and wear off hours later with sweat as the day goes on. Neutrogena has eliminated this common problem with its Crease Proof Eye Shadow. A built-in primer prevents fading and keeps the cream shadow on all day long, while your eyes stay bright and smudge-free. The result is a flirty, sheer, and silky pearl effect. I had never tried cream-based eye shadow before and I think I may consider using this option more often, especially on days when I know I’ll need my makeup to last me for a long period of time.

Next up is mascara. I cannot leave home without it. EVER. Even if it’s the only makeup I wear (Okay, I lies. That AND eyeliner, but I digress…). The most appealing part of Neutrogena’s Healthy Lengths Mascara is that there are absolutely no clumps involved. Zero. That can be hard to achieve so it’s appreciated when you don’t even have to worry about it. I didn’t notice my eyelashes looking any longer necessarily but the mascara gave them a healthy, natural look.

To complete my look, I conditioned my lips with one of Neutrogena’s MoistureSmooth Color Sticks. I usually opt for lip gloss over lipstick because I hate how lipstick drains my lips of any moisture, and no one wants dry lips! These Color Sticks were designed to improve the texture of your lips, making them softer and smoother over time. I can’t wait to see the long-term effects, but so far, I really like that the lip color stays on looking great without an ounce of dry lip syndrome! I only wish I had a brighter color to play with as I love vibrant hues, but this Juicy Peach color gave me a nice, natural look which complemented the rest of my makeup really well.

Want to give your beauty routine a facelift this spring? Head on over to Neutrogena’s website to order any of these products directly or to find a local store that carries them. You’ll feel naturally beautiful inside and out, too!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and Neutrogena. Opinions are 100% my own.

There’s a reason why my mother always kept my hair short as a child—with the amount and thickness of it, who could blame her? Although I still make her feel guilty for also dressing me in blue, which lead people to sometimes wonder if I was a boy… okay, that really only happened once while shopping at a store, but I digress.

What’s worse is I actually had bangs back then—a big no-no for someone with unruly hair issues. If there’s one thing I’ve learned along the way, it’s that my hair doesn’t do well cut short in any shape or form.

Let’s fast forward to high school, a time when your appearance starts to matter more than anything else. I remember spending over an hour a day struggling with a flat iron, attempting not to burn my hair while simultaneously trying to achieve a shiny, smooth finish. But no matter how hard I tried, frizz would eventually get the best of me. It was a lost cause.

At some point in college I decided I should just embrace my hair in its natural state. After all, that’s how it was intended, right? I learned to love my in between waves-and-curls situation; frankly, because I felt I had no other choice. Since then, I’ve remained fairly low maintenance with my hair routine: wash, condition, slap on some curl-enhancing hair product, blow dry without a brush, and voila. It usually resulted in a somewhat beachy wave fresh look that kept me satisfied until recently when Fekkai came into my life.

I’ve always known about Fekkai products but was under the impression that this salon hair line was probably too expensive to try. Not only that but I never though a product that wouldn’t require a flat iron would actually help me achieve my desired results of silky, sleek hair. Much to my pleasant surprise, I was wrong.

Happy with my results!

I started using Fekkai’s Silky Straight Ironless Shampoo and Coif Contrôle Ironless Straightening Balm about a month ago and I couldn’t be happier! The process doesn’t take much more effort than I was previously putting into my blow-drying routine, with the exception of adding a brush. In just about the same amount of time, I’m left with amazingly straight hair without needing to use a flat iron OR paying a hair stylist. It’s practically a miracle… or a dream come true for someone like me who’s struggled all her life with problematic hair.

Aside from how good it makes my hair smell (it leaves a light tea and violet scent), the best part is that each product retails for about $25, which may sound like a bit more than you’d want to spend on hair products but when you’ve got hair like mine, you’re happy to pay this much for an easy solution that actually works. Oh, and you should know that the first day I tested the products it was rainy and humid, and my hair remained intact.

Those of us in the tri-state area are familiar with many local businesses that were severely affected by Hurricane Sandy. High-end waterfront diner Skylark on the Hudson in the Newport neighborhood of Jersey City, NJ, is no stranger to the adversity caused by Sandy. The restaurant had to temporarily close to undergo a number of renovations to repair the water damage it received from the storm.

However, it’s not about how many times you fall but rather how you get back up again. And that’s just what Skylark has done! As retail and restaurant life has been slowly reviving along the Hudson River, owner and restaurateurConstantine Katsifis took this temporary closing as an opportunity to revamp the restaurant with not only a refreshed menu but also a new chef, Darryl Harmon. Hailing from South Jersey, Chef Harmon will be taking his local Jersey roots and culinary skills to another level by enhancing Skylark’s farm-to-table menu, which supports area farms by using their in-season fruits and vegetables. Already known for its use of fresh ingredients, Skylark is paying a larger homage to its home state by becoming even more adamant about using products from local farms to support the NJ community, especially along the coast of the Jersey Shore.

“We have updated our cuisine with uniquely styled dishes, accentuating flavor-forward food created by our Executive Chef Darryl Harmon. With a nod to the Jersey shore, Chef Harmon has managed to use his skills and taken a well thought out approach and twist to traditional American cuisine,” said a representative from Skylark.

Skylark on the Hudson reopened its doors on January 15th and is celebrating its grand re-opening through the end of February. If you need more of a reason to visit than fresh “fine diner” food in a relaxed, inviting waterfront space, then stop by to check out its Happy Hour special every weekday from 4 to 7pm, featuring $4, $5, and $6 beer, wine, and specialty cocktails and half price on all of the “share plates” from the menu. Plus, I hear that Skylark has quite the extensive drink list!

And if you’re a vegetarian, you’ll be happy to know that Skylark’s new menu offers an entire section of Vegetarian Share dishes.

Skylark on the Hudson is located at 25 River Drive South in Jersey City, NJ, 07310. For restaurant hours as well as delivery and online ordering options, visit their website: http://skylarkonthehudson.com/

Disclosure: Skylark has offered me the opportunity to try out their new menu but any opinions here are my own.

Wanderlust is something that ails me daily. The truth is, I just want to travel. I’ve always been this way and will be for life. This much I know! But just because I have the travel bug 24/7 doesn’t mean I get to do so nearly as much as I wish I could. On those days when I really need to escape to some place new but can’t quite afford it or find the time, I like to indulge in movies that literally move me.

Great Escape

That’s the awesome thing about movies. They provide us with a momentary departure into a world that is not our own. And aside from jumping into someone else’s storyline, what better way to truly feel like you’ve entered another world than for it to be set in a location that is foreign to you? Being the travel junkie that I am, it’s no surprise that I gravitate toward movies that take place in far off lands. And when a city becomes a character in a movie, much like they do in most recent Woody Allen films, well, that’s just the icing on the cake.

Here are my top 15 picks for movies that will have you traveling without ever moving. And if you do happen to add them to your Netflix queue, let’s hope they do inspire you to get moving…at least to your computer so you can research (and possibly plan) your next trip!

Disclaimer: These aren’t in any particular order. Also, I’m not saying that these are necessarily great movies, though I do happen to have enjoyed all of them; the point is that they’ll have you immersed in another city or culture for about two hours of (free!) travel bliss.

There are so many more I wanted to include but I had to narrow it down for you guys! What other travel-inspiring movies would you add to the list?

Master Chef Brendan Cronin’s career in the hospitality industry has taken him all over globe—from his hometown in the west of Ireland to hotels in Limerick, Dublin, the Swiss Alps, Africa, and Asia. To this day, he remains the only Irish chef to have been given the prestigious international culinary title of ‘Chef de Cuisine Diplomé,’ or Swiss Master Chef; quite a feat for someone who’s had to struggle with overcoming the general misconception that the Irish can’t cook.

In his book, Cheffin’ from Potatoes toCaviar, Brendan takes us on a journey of cooking and travel. With humor and Irish wit, he tells the story of how he followed his dreams to become a skilled chef as he worked in some of the world’s most luxurious hotels. Filled with funny anecdotes from the kitchen, he ends each chapter with a mouth-watering recipe. Whether you’re a foodie, or just simply love to eat, you’ll enjoy this behind-the-scenes look into what it takes to become a professional chef in the fiercely competitive international hospitality industry.

An adventure of food and travel? I’m already hooked! I had the chance to speak with Brendan about his journey and book. Be sure to check out the delicious lobster salad with mango recipe he’s sharing with us after the Q & A!

MissAnaMon: What made you want to become a chef?

Brendan Cornin: I was encouraged by mother when I was about 12 years old, as she saw my interest in food when I helped her in the kitchen of our bed and breakfast on our small dairy farm in the west of Ireland. She set up an interview for me with a local hotel training college. I got accepted with a scholarship for my associate’s degree in Hotel Management and Culinary Arts, and left home to study and work there at the age of 14. My career developed from there, which is the story the book is based on.

MissAnaMon:Why did you write Cheffin’ from Potatoes to Caviar?

Brendan Cronin: My mother suggested it! After reading a few short stories on travel and cooking that I had written for a school project, she said, “Brendan, you should write a book about this.” I dismissed her comment at the time and the stories sat on the living room bookshelf for 12 years before I wrote Cheffin’ from Potatoes to Caviar. By the way, the title “Cheffin'” is what locals in my village assumed is what I would be doing professionally, as at the time in the farming community, it was unusual for men to cook. Women cooked and apparently chefs cheffed—hence the title. The tagline “from Potatoes to Caviar” is intended to reflect my professional transition from my childhood of picking potatoes on our farm to later on serving caviar in the five-star hotels of the world; the two extremes of culinary ingredients—the lowly starch and the revered delicacy, which actually go quite well together… with the addition of a little sour cream.

MissAnaMon:How did you overcome the “Irish can’t cook” misconception?

Brendan Cronin: It was difficult in the beginning in Switzerland, and later in Southeast Asia, because Ireland was not renowned for its cooking—actually, the opposite was true—and fellow chefs would look at me as if to say: “Who let this Irish guy in to cook in a five-star hotel kitchen?” But as time went by—and thanks to my many years working in Swiss hotel kitchens—it got much better. Obtaining my Certified Swiss Master Chef’s qualification put that misconception to bed. In the meantime, Irish cuisine has evolved in leaps and bounds!

MissAnaMon:How have your travels influenced your cooking?

Brendan Cronin: Tremendously! I acquired taste memories, which I describe in the book, that will stay with me forever. Through traveling I have developed a tremendous admiration for any chef/cook who prepares good and nutritious food, either professionally or in the home, regardless of their qualifications. My palate has broadened and I eat almost any food. I developed a respect for cultures and beliefs, and appreciate and respect the differences between people. This mindset has helped me get along with everyone I meet along the way in kitchens and restaurants around the world. As a result, I only applied for one position in my professional career—all the other positions were referrals or chefs contacting me directly. In essence, travel created a network for me.

Finally, add the lobster claws with the point facing upward and add the cherry tomatoes and a sprig of chives.

To make the sauce:

Remove the stone and skin from the mango and cut the flesh into pieces.

Puree in a blender and drizzle in the oil with the motor running.

Add sherry vinegar to taste.

Season with salt and pepper mill.

Tip:

Stir in a little sour cream or plain yogurt to the sauce for added creaminess and an extra sharp flavor.

A little extra on the side… I asked Brendan what his cooking tips are for those who are still learning their way around the kitchen. “Do not be intimidated by what is on TV reality shows. It’s television and supposed to be sensational. Use these shows as an inspiration but not as self-judgment (e.g. “I could never do that!”). Begin cooking simple dishes using fresh, local ingredients for friends and family. Experiment with flavors, presentation styles, and plate designs/colors. Ask for feedback and take it graciously; then incorporate it and taste again. Learn the basic culinary techniques as they’re the pathway to understanding how food reacts during the cooking process. There is something to be learned from everyone. Be respectful of the entire kitchen team, including the dishwasher!”

To purchase Cheffin’ from Potatoes to Caviar, visit createspacefor the paperback version,Amazon for the Kindle edition, or Lulu for a hardcover copy.

It’s the middle of winter and the temperature has been frigid lately here in the northeast. What better time to plan a spring break getaway? Aside from fantasizing about what you’ll wear on vacation, you should also think about what to wear when you’re on your way. The goal is to look good but stay comfortable, especially depending on how long your flight is!

One of the things to consider when picking out your travel outfit is how to make it easy on yourself when going through the TSA security line. Pick a pair of shoes that easily slip on and off without pesky laces to worry about, such as every-trendy cowboy boots, which have a slight heel to add some glam.

Something else to ponder is whether you’re usually hot or cold on airplanes. You never quite know what it’s going to be like on the plane, so the trick is to either wear layers, or go for a light jacket and scarf to keep you warm just in case, but wear a short-sleeved shirt underneath that won’t make you feel too hot either. Also, make sure that the jacket isn’t too bulky, since you’ll have to probably carry it on you for the duration of the flight.

As for pants, I usually go for jeans because they fit well, are always comfy, and go with pretty much everything. And unless you enjoy taking multiple carry-on bags with you, go for a large handbag like this tote, which will fit most essentials and will keep your stress at a minimum.

Belts and jewelry are accessories that will add some chic to your wardrobe but you may want to think twice about wearing a watch since it will be one more item to take off while on the security line. Finally, never, ever forget to bring pair of sunglasses. Why? Well, you can hide your tired, jet-lagged eyes (believe me, you’ll be glad you have them with you once you arrive at your final destination), and those peepers should always be protected from harmful UV rays.

I don’t know about you, but I live in a constant state of ‘80s nostalgia. As a child of a time where big hair and crazy print fashion were not only acceptable but in, I’m a little biased. And don’t even get me started on the music—I have more 80s artists on my Pandora stations playlist than from any other decade. So don’t judge me when I say that I was really curious to see what the CW’s new show The Carrie Diaries would do to my beloved 80s.

This former Sex and the City fan was afraid the storyline would not match up to my vision of a high school, pre-NYC Carrie Bradshaw. And I may not have been wrong about that, but then again, I’m not really into the show for the story; for those of you who don’t know, the show, which is based off of Candace Bushnell’s prequel novel by the same name, takes some liberties with Carrie’s backstory, but I won’t go into that because I’m not here to prove factual inaccuracies.

I am, however, thrilled with the music and fashion inserted flawlessly into every episode. Billy Idol, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Talking Heads, New Order, Modern English—these are just a few of all the musical greatness that has already graced just the first two episodes! This alone is enough to hook me, but what keeps me coming back for more each week is the awesome 80’s style choices. As a friend of mine said, now that GossipGirl is gone, we needed a fabulous fashion replacement that was equally a love letter to New York City.

We all know that fashion is cyclical, and clearly the 80s have made a fashion comeback in recent years, but I couldn’t help but laugh this week when I saw AnnaSophia Robb (in character as Carrie) wearing an almost identical sweater to one I just got from Gap about two months ago. Maybe that’s what’s so enthralling about the fashion on this show—that while it’s nostalgic, it’s also something we might totally, or actually, wear today.

What’s so great about 80’s fashion is that you could pretty much mix and match anything and it would work. In a way, it was easy and uncomplicated. Neons, sequins, patterns, animal prints, polka dots, solids, stripes—you name it. The rule was there are no rules. Anything goes!

What do you think? Would you wear any of these looks from The Carrie Diaries? As for me, I’ll be tuning in next week in hopes of hearing The Cure on a future episode and to see how I can inject even more color into my own wardrobe.

You may have heard there was a little party thrown in D.C. earlier today. Yes, POTUS Barack Obama’s second and final presidential inauguration took place in our nation’s capital just hours ago and all eyes were on fashion, of course! But while everyone loves talking about what the First Lady is wearing, it was Jay-Z’sTom Ford suit that stole the show. And while having an always stunning Beyoncé on your arms definitely helps turn heads, I couldn’t help but be drawn to how sharp this man–whom we’re used to seeing so often in black and white–looked in this suit with a complementing scarf, tie, and dress shirt in slightly varying hues of blue.

This got me thinking about navy blue suits. They’re like the coolest guy in school’s sidekick/best friend—slightly less popular and always second-in-line despite his unassuming charm. When you think of men’s suits, black comes to mind first but usually that’s if it’s a black-tie or otherwise super formal affair. When you need a suit that doesn’t scream wedding or funeral but rather job interview or business attire, you might opt for a gray or brown, for the somewhat conservative appeal. But navy blue… it pops! Especially when paired with well-matched tones, as Jay has so eloquently done which his inaugural style choices today. (Correction: Just kidding! It’s come to my attention that Jay’s suit is actually not navy blue but rather a blueish gray. It’s all those blue accessories he had on that threw me off. Time to go get my eyes checked. He would look great in blue, too, though!)

Take Javier Bardem, for example. Now, this man needs no help in the sex appeal department—just listen to him speak! But see how amazing this navy blue Dior Homme suit looks on him? Sleek and sophisticated, it speaks to you; telling you that, yes, Señor Bardem is ready to chat you up and buy you a drink. Okay, maybe that’s just wishful thinking on my part (for all of us!). But seriously, had this suit been black, or gray, or brown, he may have seemed a little less fun, no?

I leave you with this final photo of another fashion-conscious man who knows how to wear a navy blue suit. And well, I couldn’t leave Justin Timberlake out because he’s all about suiting up. Suit & Tie, anyone?